Braintree Motel 6 to close for at least 7 weeks

Representatives of the Motel 6 chain have agreed to close their problem-plagued Braintree location on June 1 in an effort to work out improvement plan which will satisfy town officials.

Fred Hanson The Patriot Ledger @Fhanson_Ledger

BRAINTREE – The problem-plagued Motel 6 on Union Street will turn out its light on June 1, a shutdown that will last at least seven weeks.

“We have agreed to voluntarily close operations at this location,” Jeremy Weltman, a lawyer for the motel chain, told the board of health Thursday night.

The board agreed to the company’s request to continue a disciplinary hearing on the motel’s operating license until July 13. The motel will remain closed until then.

The company officials requested additional time to work with town officials to draw up a plan to resolve long-standing problems at the motel, which has been the scene of a murder-suicide, sexual assaults and drug deals.

Company officials announced measures they feel will reduce problems at the motel while it remains open. The room rate has been increased to $159 per night, and the motel will no longer accept cash payments. They have also added additional hours of armed security coverage.

The hearing was called following the shooting of Braintree Patrol Officer Donald Delaney on May 5. Delaney was shot while he was attempting to serve an arrest warrant on a motel guest.

Mayor Joseph Sullivan, who attended the hearing, said he has “a high degree of skepticism” as to whether the motel will do what is needed to eliminate the problems.

“We will keep the pressure on,” Sullivan said.

Police Chief Paul Shastany said motel management understands that substantial changes must be made in the motel’s local operations.

“Motel 6 recognizes this is an overhaul of their operations that is long overdue,” the chief said.

Shastany said that from 2010 to 2016 there have been 292 people arrested on warrants at the 92-room motel. By comparison, there were 193 warrant arrests made at South Shore Plaza in the same period.

Health board member Laurie Melchionda was concerned about the upcoming Memorial Day weekend and pressed to have Motel 6 officials agree to accept no new reservations until its closing.

Alan Rabinowitz, executive vice president and general counsel of Motel 6’s parent company, G6 Hospitality LLC, would not agree to that, but he did agree to have the motel reject any “walk-in” guests while it remains open.

The vote in favor of the continuance was 2-1, with board member Dr. Philip Nedelman opposed.

“I would revoke the license,” Nedelman said.

He said the restrictions imposed by the town 7 years ago, including a nightly police detail at the motel, did not solve the problem.

Town Councilor Michael Owens, whose District 5 includes the motel, said the only solution is to close the Motel 6 for good and demolish the building and the vacant restaurant next door.